We have made some improvements to Disability Support Services (DSS) funded supports.
The improvements are informed by what the disability community told us in 2025, and by the Independent Review in 2024. These changes all came into effect in April 2026.
The changes are about:
- making the system fairer and more consistent
- giving disabled people more choice and control over their flexible funding.
The improvements will stabilise the disability support system and ensure it is sustainable.
They create a stable foundation to strengthen the disability support system over the longer term.
Learn more about what the disability community told us
More choice and control over flexible funding
People who get flexible funding now have more choice and control over how they spend their funding.
- The purchasing rules for flexible funding were removed from 1 April 2026. (Note that the purchasing rules remain for Choice in Community Living arrangements).
- More guidance is now available to help people manage their flexible funding.
Learn more about the changes to flexible funding
Making the system fairer
In February and March 2026, we began to improve the way disabled people’s needs are assessed and supports are allocated. This now includes consideration of the needs of family, whānau and carers are , where relevant to the needs of the disabled person. .
People will experience these changes when they apply for the first time, or when they have their next reassessment.
The changes make things fairer and more consistent across the country, no matter where you live.
Learn more about the changes to assessments and allocations.